⚾🏈 The Two-Sport King: Cal Hubbard, The Only Man in Two Halls of Fame
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Born on October 31, 1900, in Keytesville, Missouri, Robert “Cal” Hubbard achieved a level of athletic immortality that remains unmatched in professional sports history. Want a truly unique fact? Hubbard is the only person ever enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Beginning as an imposing two-way lineman at Centenary and Geneva Colleges, the 6’4″, 250-pound Hubbard went on to star in the early NFL before seamlessly transitioning his career to become a distinguished American League umpire, forever linking the two distinct worlds of professional sport.
The NFF informs us that Cal Hubbard played end and tackle for Centenary 1922-24, then moved with his coach, Bo McMillin, to play one season at Geneva College in 1926. Later, as a pro, Hubbard was a big tackle, standing 6-4 and weighing 250 pounds, for the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The College Football Hall of Fame added Cal to their lineup in 1962. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Cal Hubbard one year later in 1963 for back-to-back Hall of Fame Enshrinements! Believe it or not, 13 years after that, in 1976, Cal Hubbard was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire.
Football Accolades & Accomplishments
- College Career: Played end and tackle for Centenary College (1922-24) before following his coach, Bo McMillin, to Geneva College in 1926.
- NFL Pioneer: Starred as a tackle for the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1927–1936.
- NFL Championships: Was an integral part of four NFL Championship teams (one with the Giants, three consecutive with the Packers from 1929–1931).
- Hall of Fame Enshrinements:
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1962
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1963 (A charter member of the inaugural class).
- The Baseball Hall of Fame: Inducted as an umpire in 1976.
